> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.smartbills.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Environments

> Learn about the Smartbills API sandbox and production environments for development and testing

## Overview

Smartbills provides two distinct environments to help you develop and test your integration before going live. Each environment is fully isolated with its own data, API keys, and configuration.

## Available Environments

### Sandbox Environment

The sandbox environment is a safe space for development and testing. No real data is processed or stored.

**Base URL:**

```
https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io/v1
```

**Characteristics:**

* Available immediately to all developer accounts
* Uses test API keys (`sk_test_...`)
* Separate test data that does not affect production
* Higher rate limits for faster development
* Pre-populated with sample data for testing
* No real charges or transactions

<Info>
  All developer accounts have immediate access to the sandbox environment. No approval is required.
</Info>

### Production Environment

The production environment is where your live application runs and processes real data.

**Base URL:**

```
https://api.smartbills.io/v1
```

**Characteristics:**

* Uses live API keys (`sk_live_...`)
* Real customer and business data
* Standard rate limits apply
* Processes real expenses and reports
* Requires application approval before access

<Note>
  Production API keys are enabled once your application has been reviewed and approved.
</Note>

## Key Differences

| Feature          | Sandbox                     | Production              |
| ---------------- | --------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Base URL**     | `sandbox-api.smartbills.io` | `api.smartbills.io`     |
| **API Keys**     | `sk_test_...`               | `sk_live_...`           |
| **Data**         | Test data only              | Real customer data      |
| **Access**       | Available immediately       | Requires approval       |
| **Rate Limits**  | More lenient                | Standard limits         |
| **Webhooks**     | Sent to test URLs           | Sent to production URLs |
| **Transactions** | Simulated                   | Real                    |

## Switching Between Environments

You can switch between environments by changing the base URL and API key in your application:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  # Sandbox
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io/v1/expenses \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer sk_test_1234567890abcdef' \
    --header 'x-tenant-id: 123'

  # Production
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.smartbills.io/v1/expenses \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer sk_live_1234567890abcdef' \
    --header 'x-tenant-id: 123'
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  import { SmartbillsClient } from '@smartbills/sdk';

  // Sandbox
  const sandboxClient = new SmartbillsClient({
    accessToken: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
    businessId: 123
  });

  // Or configure via environment variables
  // SMARTBILLS_API_URL=https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io
  // SMARTBILLS_API_KEY=sk_test_1234567890abcdef

  const client = new SmartbillsClient({
    accessToken: process.env.SMARTBILLS_API_KEY,
    businessId: 123
  });
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  from smartbills import SmartbillsClient
  import os

  # Sandbox
  sandbox_client = SmartbillsClient(
      access_token="sk_test_1234567890abcdef",
      business_id=123
  )

  # Or configure via environment variables
  client = SmartbillsClient(
      access_token=os.environ.get("SMARTBILLS_API_KEY"),
      business_id=123
  )
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Environment Configuration

### Using Environment Variables

Store your API keys and base URLs as environment variables to easily switch between environments:

```bash theme={null}
# .env.development
SMARTBILLS_API_URL=https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io
SMARTBILLS_API_KEY=sk_test_your_sandbox_key

# .env.production
SMARTBILLS_API_URL=https://api.smartbills.io
SMARTBILLS_API_KEY=sk_live_your_production_key
```

### Configuration Example

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const config = {
    sandbox: {
      baseUrl: 'https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io/v1',
      apiKey: process.env.SMARTBILLS_TEST_KEY
    },
    production: {
      baseUrl: 'https://api.smartbills.io/v1',
      apiKey: process.env.SMARTBILLS_LIVE_KEY
    }
  };

  const env = process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production' ? 'production' : 'sandbox';
  const { baseUrl, apiKey } = config[env];
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import os

  config = {
      'sandbox': {
          'base_url': 'https://sandbox-api.smartbills.io/v1',
          'api_key': os.environ.get('SMARTBILLS_TEST_KEY')
      },
      'production': {
          'base_url': 'https://api.smartbills.io/v1',
          'api_key': os.environ.get('SMARTBILLS_LIVE_KEY')
      }
  }

  env = 'production' if os.environ.get('ENV') == 'production' else 'sandbox'
  base_url = config[env]['base_url']
  api_key = config[env]['api_key']
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Test Data in Sandbox

The sandbox environment comes pre-populated with sample data to help you test your integration:

* **Sample businesses** with pre-configured settings
* **Sample expenses** in various statuses (pending, approved, rejected)
* **Sample expense reports** with complete approval workflows
* **Sample categories, departments, and locations**
* **Sample vendors** with different configurations

You can also create your own test data in the sandbox. All test data is periodically reset.

<Warning>
  **Data reset**: Sandbox data may be periodically reset. Do not rely on sandbox data for long-term storage. Always use production for persistent data.
</Warning>

## Data Isolation

Data between environments is completely isolated:

* Users created in sandbox do not exist in production
* Expenses and reports are environment-specific
* Webhooks are sent to different endpoints per environment
* API keys only work in their respective environments

This ensures that your testing activities never affect your production data or users.

## Getting Access

### Sandbox Access

1. Create a Smartbills account at [smartbills.io](https://smartbills.io)
2. Visit the [developer portal](https://developers.smartbills.io)
3. Create a new application
4. Your sandbox API keys will be generated immediately

### Production Access

<Steps>
  <Step title="Complete Integration in Sandbox">
    Build and test your integration using sandbox API keys.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit for Review">
    Submit your application for review through the developer portal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Process">
    Our team reviews your integration to ensure it meets our guidelines.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Production Keys Activated">
    Once approved, your production API keys will be activated.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use Environment Variables" icon="gear">
    Store API keys and base URLs as environment variables. Never hardcode them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test Thoroughly in Sandbox" icon="flask">
    Always test your integration thoroughly in sandbox before deploying to production. Test all API endpoints, error handling, webhook delivery, and data formats.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep Separate API Keys" icon="key">
    Use different API keys for each environment and never use production keys in development or testing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitor Both Environments" icon="chart-line">
    Set up monitoring and logging for both environments to catch issues early.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API Keys" icon="key" href="/api-reference/api-keys">
    Create and manage API keys
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="shield" href="/api-reference/authentication">
    Authentication setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Introduction" icon="book" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    API overview and getting started
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rate Limits" icon="gauge" href="/api-reference/rate-limits">
    Environment-specific rate limits
  </Card>
</CardGroup>